Don’t stop giving Bukayo Saka his flowers

For casual viewers, the sight of one of Sky’s spider cams swooping down to provide an intimate view of Bukayo Saka readying himself to take a crucial penalty kick could quite understandably engender an unnerving, even nauseating, feeling within.

Those same casuals will be more than aware that just 15 months ago Saka experienced a moment of sporting misfortune that had the potential to derail a career. Survival in the Euro 2020 final on the line. The enormous frame of Gianluigi Donnarumma dives the right way. Penalty saved. A torrent of racial hatred follows online.

A grim feeling of doubt was therefore surely present in the minds of some as the slight figure of Saka, made to look even slighter by the framing of the camera, prepared to find a way past the sizeable Alisson and give Arsenal the lead for a third time on Sunday afternoon against Liverpool.

Saka guided an effort into the bottom left corner of the Brazillian’s goal with both precision and power. Alisson dived the right way, just as Donnarumma did at Wembley, but the conviction with which the ball was struck meant the possibility of a save was never realistic.

That goal sent Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League table.

What those with less investment in the fortunes of the 21-year-old may not have realised is that this was not the first decisive spot-kick that Saka has taken responsibility for since, nor is it even the second.

The successful penalty at the weekend means that he has now scored from the spot against Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea since the Euro 2020 final – all of which came in important games and earned equally important points.

Prowess from 12 yards is not the only art that the Ealing-born attacker appears to have mastered though. His goals per 90, assists per 90, expected goals per 90, key passes per 90 and successful dribbles per 90 so far this season are higher than at any other point in his Arsenal career. 

Rather than being inhibited or defined by such a potentially traumatic moment, or understandably allowing performance levels to drop and concentration to drift by trying to force the issue from his mind’s eye, it is now almost as if Saka is using that moment to fuel personal and team success.

He is no longer simply a promising talent nor a symbol of the potential of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, he is now defined by harder, more mature attributes such as the consistency of those curling finishes when coming inside from the flank, and the directness of his ball-carrying when the opportunity presents itself.

Saka’s England redemption may come in earnest in the coming months, but a recent appearance off the bench against Germany in the Nations League was the most forceful claim yet that he should be starting in attack alongside Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane in Qatar.

Introduced in the 66th minute in place of Phil Foden with England two goals down, Saka played a part in both of the goals that dragged Gareth Southgate’s side level in the eventual 3-3 draw.

Whilst there can be no denial of the talent of the Manchester City man, Saka’s impact on what was seemingly a desperate situation may indicate that he is less reliant on systems or styles of play to prove effective. Foden has been surrounded by superstars from the very start, Saka has had to drag Arsenal to a level whereby they can attract such players once more. With England patently in a difficult situation before the World Cup even starts, it may be that Saka’s battling qualities are what is required in the desert heat.

With Arteta in the third full season of his project in North London, the team is now at a level befitting Saka’s talent. Martin Odegaard’s ascension to creative focal point has lessened the burden on him to instigate attacks. The continual improvement of the equally impressive Gabriel Martinelli has meant opponents have a goal-scoring threat on either flank to contend with. Gabriel Jesus’s perpetual motion is giving Saka less work to do off the ball as well as opening up more space for him when he does have possession.

Even though Saka’s own trajectory in terms of ability and the influence he has on this Arsenal team seems destined to continue blossoming, it may well be that this, right now, is the best we ever see of him. Development is not linear and form is prone to fluctuation, so embrace what we are seeing of this brilliant young individual now, and don’t forget how he made you feel in this moment.

Bukayo Saka has already achieved so much. Cherish him.

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